Coherent interaction between photon and atoms is an important research topic in modern quantum optics. Utilizing well controlled atomic system, especially laser cooled atoms, photon can be generated and its quantum behavior can be manipulated, which offers a promising solution to realize photonic quantum information processing. This session, entitled “Atomic quantum optics”, focuses on the fundamental and practical topics of coherent and quantum interaction between photons and atoms, which may find potential application in quantum information processing. Example topics include but are not limited to the photon generation, storage, interference based on atomic system.